Mount Thomson (New Zealand)

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Mount Thomson
Mount Thomson NZ.jpg
East aspect, viewed from Mueller Hut
Highest point
Elevation 2,642 m (8,668 ft) [1] [2]
Prominence 178 m (584 ft) [2]
Isolation 1.68 km (1.04 mi) [2]
Coordinates 43°42′23″S170°01′22″E / 43.70639°S 170.02278°E / -43.70639; 170.02278 [2]
Naming
Etymology John Turnbull Thomson
Geography
New Zealand (relief map).png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Mount Thomson
Location in New Zealand
Mount Thomson (New Zealand)
Interactive map of Mount Thomson
Location South Island
Country New Zealand
Region Canterbury / West Coast
Protected area Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
Westland Tai Poutini National Park
Parent range Southern Alps
Topo map Topo50 BX15 [3]
Climbing
First ascent February 1914

Mount Thomson is a 2,642-metre-elevation (8,668-foot) mountain in New Zealand.

Contents

Description

Mount Thomson is set on the crest or Main Divide of the Southern Alps and is situated on the boundary shared by the West Coast and Canterbury Regions of South Island. This peak is located six kilometres (3.7 mi) west-northwest of Mount Cook Village and set on the boundary shared by Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park and Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains west into the headwaters of the Douglas River and east to the Hooker River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,450 metres (4,757 feet) above the Mueller Glacier in two kilometres. The nearest higher neighbour is Mount Sefton, three kilometres to the north-northeast. [2] The mountain's toponym was applied by Gerhard Mueller to honour John Turnbull Thomson (1821–1884), Chief Surveyor of Otago who later became the first Surveyor General of New Zealand. [4] This mountain's toponym has been officially approved by the New Zealand Geographic Board. [4]

Climbing

Climbing routes with the first ascents: [3]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Thomson is located in a marine west coast (Cfb) climate zone, with a subpolar oceanic climate (Cfc) at the summit. [5] Prevailing westerly winds blow moist air from the Tasman Sea onto the mountains, where the air is forced upward by the mountains (orographic lift), causing moisture to drop in the form of rain or snow. This climate supports the Douglas, Frind, Donne, and Fyfe glaciers surrounding the peak. The months of December through February offer the most favourable weather for viewing or climbing this peak. [6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Mount Thomson, West Coast, NZTopoMap, Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Mount Thomson, New Zealand". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  3. 1 2 Mt Thomson, New Zealand Alpine Club, Climbnz.org, Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  4. 1 2 Mount Thomson, New Zealand Gazetteer, Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  5. ↑ Christchurch Climate (New Zealand), climate-data.org, Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  6. ↑ The Best Time to Visit the South Island, nzpocketguide.com, Retrieved 28 December 2024.
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